Real Madrid, who saw Eden Hazard return from injury, ran out easy winners in their first La Liga clash since the coronavirus pandemic after beating Eibar 3-1 at the Di Stefano Stadium. Despite not being able to play at the Bernabeu due to renovation work, they had no problems and put the game to bed in the first period.

After just four minutes, Toni Kroos' put RM ahead. Casemiro's looping pass found Benzema by the byline and as he tried to cut inside, the ball broke to Kroos who almost passed the ball into the net from outside the area.

Eibar then had their only chances in the first half when Cristoforo hit at Courtois from 25 yards and then in the 15th minute, Kike Garcia hit over the bar from De Blassis' cross. However, Mendilibar's men suffered a big blow just before the 30 minute mark on the counter. Ramos broke after Orellana's shot was blocked, he then passed to Benzema who fed Hazard and the Belgian just squared for Ramos to tap in. There was no offside and Real were two goals up.

Despite Exposito trying for Eibar, Marcelo extended the home side's advantage eight minutes before the break. Hazard played a lovely one-two with Benzema who forced a tremendous save from the keeper. However, Dmitrovic was let down by a terrible clearance from Sergio Alvarez and Marcelo punished him with a powerful effort into the far corner. There was even time for Madrid to go in at half-time 4-0 ahead, but Dmitrovic made a good save to deny the Brazilian.

June 14, 2020

The second half saw Real Madrid take their foot off the gas and Eibar were much more adventurous as they had nothing to lose. Courtois lost the ball stupìdly in the 49th minute and he had to make a fine stp to prevent Exposito pulling one back. Then, he had to make an even better save eight minutes later from the same player. Exposito went for goal from 25 yards after a nice turn and the Belgian GK dived to his right to concede the corner.

Then, from the corner, after Eibar brought on Enrich, Bigas and Pedro Leon, Enrich saw his header strike the crossbar. The Basques continued to put pressure on Real Madrid and they got their reward on the hour mark albeit in fortuituous circumstances. De Blassis' shot deflected off his teammate Bigas and then the ball hit Courtois' leg and ended up in the net. It was a terrible error by the former Chelsea shot stopper. Eibar were not finished though.

Courtois was called into action again 21 minutes from time to deny Pedro Leon and then Oliveira headed wide Pedro Leon's free-kick five minutes later. However, once Eibar were unable to get a second, they lost heart and the last 15 minutes saw Real Madrid pick up a bit without really doing much.

There was good news for RM as Gareth Bale came on for half an hour as did Vinicius and Militao, but there also some bad news. Hazard, one of the three men replaced, received ice on his right ankle when he went off. That was the only dampener for Real Madrid on a night which saw them pick up three easy points and keep within two points of Barca. Eibar, on the other hand, remain just two points outside the relegation zone.

P. Bigas

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